I try to summon the right words without sounding super needy. ‘Don’t go’ dances on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t bring myself to say the words out loud.
It turns out I don’t need to. ‘Want me to stay for a while?’ he offers. ‘I’ll stay on top of the bed covers. If the duvet’s between us, it doesn’t count, right?’
‘Yes, please. Stay a while…’ I exhale a breath I’d been holding. ‘But make sure you’re gone before the twins wake up. I don’t want to confuse them.’
The bed dips as he curls his strong muscular body around mine. I want to ask how he coped with the twins tonight. I want to ask him if they were good. If they missed me. But most of all, I want to revel in the forbidden comfort of having a man here beside me. One who I feel uncannily at ease around.
But seconds after he drops an arm over my cotton-covered body, I drift into a blissfully satiated slumber.
Chapter Eighteen
RONAN
If I was obsessed with Savannah Kingsley before last night, I’m enamoured with her this morning. How is it possible to miss someone I only just left? To miss someone who I technically barely touched.
I’m pacing my kitchen, counting the hours until our swimming lesson, praying she won’t freak out and cancel on me. Praying that she enjoyed last night as much as I did. Praying that it was so fucking good for her she’s going to need a repeat.
My phone chimes with an incoming text message.
Savannah: I’m so sorry, I won’t make it today.
My thumbsfly over the keypad.
Me: The hell you won’t. Don’t let last night get in the way of your contract with Coral.
Three dots appear.
Then disappear.
Then appear again.
I wait with bated breath, thrumming a finger over my lips before firing out another message.
Me: I swear not to bring up last night. If you’re freaking out, we don’t have to talk about it. You don’t have to be embarrassed.
Savannah: I’m not embarrassed.
Me: So what’s the problem?
Savannah: I’m horny. Again.
Me: I can be at yours in halfan hour for a repeat.
Savannah: Do you have water in your ears or something? I told you, I can’t start something with you, even if I wanted to.
Even if I wanted to.
There might be hope yet, if I can only find a way to persuade her she doesn’t have to be ‘Single Sav’ forever.
Me: In that case, stop telling me you’re horny and get your ass down to the pool to do some work.
Savannah: Fine. But don’t even think about touching me.
Me: Don’t worry Sassy Sav, you’re in safe hands.
Savannah: It’s not you I don’t trust.
Boom. This thing burning up between is real. The way she cried my name last night was real. The way the void in my previously empty life is plugged when I spend time with her and her adorable kids is real.
